Former Midfielder Reo-Coker Identifies Arsenal’s Open Play Scoring as a Growing Concern

Former West Ham midfielder Nigel Reo-Coker has asserted that Arsenal still requires a clinical striker to help them secure wins in games where they struggle to penetrate opposing defenses. The Gunners’ damaging draw against Fulham on Sunday left them in third position, six points adrift of leaders Liverpool, having played an additional match. William Saliba’s goal in that fixture, once again, originated from a corner, prompting Reo-Coker to suggest that finding the net from open play is an issue. “It is becoming a little bit of a problem,” he told the Football Daily podcast. “It’s the conversation about missing a striker.” Reo-Coker further explained that a striker would provide “that X-factor.” He referenced Alexander Isak at Newcastle and his current form, stating that “if Isak was in this team, it would it give Arsenal a completely different dynamic.” He also commented that while “[Martin] Odegaard is the genius he is,” opposing teams “are starting to slightly work Arsenal out a little bit in terms of keeping him and [Bukayo] Saka quiet down that right side.” He observed that the team struggled to develop “any different ideas.” Reo-Coker concluded that when “you don’t have that natural striker who gives you another option of balls into the box to open the game then that’s a problem right now. That’s the issue for Arsenal but they can still rely on their set-pieces.”